The board currently has the ability to make changes in membership criteria and, if approved by a two-thirds board majority, such changes are effective immediately, unless overruled by the membership by vote. Changes to the criteria will be put before the membership for a final vote in conjunction with the Board election in May 2012.

Digital Media Journalist (engaged in producing blog/vlog or other online-only media submission and content creation) – To qualify under this category, applicants must show proof of at least 500 average unique views per month over a 12-month period and meet three of four of the following qualifications: 1) Maintained a digital media site on outdoor-related activities in any format that allows response feedback for a minimum of one year; 2) Proof of income from communicating about outdoor-related subjects; 3) Average at least two editorial postings per month over a 12-month period; redistribution of press releases does not qualify; 4) Must reveal source for all outside support contributing to content of postings.

Lecturer criteria will be revised as follows: Submit itinerary including dates and estimated attendance of 18 compensated appearances in the past 12 months. Include samples of brochures, newspaper clips or other promotional materials and/or website addresses.

Book Author, Editor, Designer or Publisher criteria will be revised as follows: Submit one sample copy of income-producing book produced in the past 36 months, including proof that the book is still being published and marketed. A signed publishing contract for a book in progress counts as a published book. Works requiring unusual effort will be given additional consideration. Several booklets may be substituted for a single book, but promotional booklets for commercial enterprises are not acceptable. Multi-authorship will be equally prorated among all authors.

Website Content Director, Writer, Editor, Photographer, Artist or Designer criteria will be revised as follows: Submit 24 URLs of website content or design work published and compensated in the past 12 months, including web features or web pages developed. Web editors should submit supporting pages demonstrating regular content updates. The same piece appearing on multiple websites counts as one submission.

OWAA is The Voice of the Outdoors®. The Outdoor Writers Association of America is the oldest and largest association of professional outdoor communicators in the United States. It was organized in 1927 by members of the Izaak Walton League of America and includes professional communicators dedicated to sharing the outdoor experience. OWAA’s professionals include writers, photographers, outdoors radio- and television-show hosts, book authors, videographers, lecturers and artists. The association is headquartered in Missoula, Mont. For more information, contact Robin Giner, executive director, Outdoor Writers Association of America, 615 Oak St., Ste. 201, Missoula, Mont. 59801; 406-728-7434, rginer@owaa.org; http://www.owaa.org.